Sarawak to have border security command soon
KUCHING: A border security command similar to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will be set up in the state soon to ensure comprehensive security along the State’s 1,500 km border with Kalimantan.
This was revealed newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told The Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo, See Hua Daily, Oriental Daily and TEAFM in an exclusive interview at the Kuching International Airport here yesterday.
He said the plan was now in the pipeline and he would fine-tune the matter with the country’s top leadership on how best it would be implemented.
“I reckoned what we did in Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will be transferred into Sarawak especially to monitor and control border movements in Sarawak,” Ahmad Zahid.
Ahmad Zahid who is also the Minister of Home Affairs added that the Federal Government would build seven new posts along the border at strategic locations soon.
“As a Minister of Home Affairs and former Minister of Defence, I fully agree with the request from the (Sarawak) State Government for me to look seriously into the needs to have seven new posts at the border.
“And what is important is not only the physical fencing between the neighbouring countries but also other sophisticated monitoring system has also to be installed.”
Zahid said the federal government had received seven different proposals for the Home Ministry and so for the National Security Council (NSC) to consider.
He further explained that besides extra manpower to man the border, the government would also look into border crossing and border management.
“And we have been working together with the armed forces under the Blue Ocean Strategy approach,” he reiterated.
Ahmad Zahid explained that under the General Border Committee (GBC), the government had agreed that border posts would be constructed at strategic points along the borders throughout the country. Belaga assemblyman cum Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang, who was present at the press conference, said the announcement of the setting up of a border command similar to Esscom in Sabah was timely as it would prevent similar border incidents that occurred in Sabah from happening in the state.
“In Belaga, we need to strengthen security especially at the site of the two hydroelectricity dams in Bakun and Murum as currently there is no proper security looking after these strategic assets.
“And along the border area in Belaga District, the people from both countries still think that they live in the same country. So with the setup of this security command, we can put a stop to these undocumented border crossings,” said Liwan.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Deputy Minister of Homes Affairs Masir Kujat said he would personally want to be part of the framework committee in the setting up of the new border security command.
“As it is within my job scope, I will definitely want to be involved in the setup and its implementation so that we can have a much effective security monitoring system to minimise criminal activities along the border areas,” said Masir. Also present at the press conference were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.